Wycker Waterpoort (Wycker Watergate), Maastricht

The Wycker Waterpoort, also called Waterpoortje is an originally medieval water gate in Maastricht. The gate is located in the Wyck district, at the place where the Waterpoort street meets the Maas river . The gate has been a national monument since 1966.

The water gate was probably built in the 14th century as part of the Wycker city wall, construction of which started in 1318. The gate gave access to an unloading quay on the Maas via a narrow gate passage. The first mention dates from 1377.

The gate was bricked up around the middle of the 17th century. The specification book no. 192 of the Maastricht City Archives shows that the Waterpoort was (partly) demolished in 1714 because it was too narrow for traffic crossing the Meuse, which had to use a bridge during the restoration of the bridge (the current Sint Servaasbrug ). The gate was rebuilt with the same material, but with a passage width of 12½ feet instead of 7¾.

Until the middle of the 19th century ships were unloaded and loaded here. In 1890 the gate was demolished by order of the municipal council, when the Wycker city wall was lowered along the Maas and the retaining wall behind it was excavated.

The gate was restored in 2007, which was partly necessary due to the extra security of the Maaskades. A staircase was built in the gate opening, which restores the connection with the Maas. Two tiles with information about the monument were also installed.